Zero Tolerance Research Articles

Experiencing Migration and Asylum Seeking: A Diasporic study of The Book of Rosy: A Mother’s story of separation at the Border by Rosayra Pablo Cruz and Julie Schwitert Collazo

This study delves into the experiences of migration and asylum-seeking through the lens of William Safran's diaspora framework, which centers on the concepts of dispersion, diaspora consciousness, and homeland connections. Employing Safran's theoretical model, the research critically analyzes the autobiographical work "The Book of Rosy" by Rosayra Pablo Cruz and Julie Schwietert Collazo, focusing on the challenges faced by migrants, particularly mothers, in the context of Trump's zero tolerance policy. The narrative provides an insightful portrayal of the multifaceted struggles of immigrants, revealing the emotional and psychological toll of forced separation at the Mexico border. The findings underscore the significance of community support and advocacy efforts in addressing the traumatic consequences of migration. This study contributes to a nuanced understanding of the human experiences entailed in the migration process and underscores the relevance of Safran's diaspora model in comprehending its complexities.

Exploring the Prevalence of Sexual Harassment in Academia: Experiences of Female Teachers at Higher Education Institutions

Sexual harassment of females is a pervasive problem in academia that affects women's career prospects and overall well-being. The present study aimed to analyze female teachers' experiences regarding sexual harassment (SH) at Higher Education Institutions. The quantitative research design was employed for the current study. The study’s sample included eighty (80) female teachers selected by using the technique of convenient sampling. For the purpose of data collection, the SEQ Sexual Experiences Questionnaire, designed by Fitzgerald et al. (1995) was employed. The findings revealed that the most typical forms of sexual harassment experienced by female instructors were gender harassment and unwanted sexual pursuits. The results of this study suggested that institutions need to adopt a zero-tolerance approach towards sexual harassment and are required to take proactive measures to prevent harassment to ensure a safe and respectful culture for females in the workplace.

ADMISSIBILITY OF ELECTRONIC EVIDENCE IN CRIMINAL TRIALS IN NIGERIA AND THE CHALLENGES OF NEW CRIMES

There is no doubt that computers now dominate the world. Little wonder then, the current age has been variously described in like terms as “computer age”, “digital age”, “electronic age”, or “information and communication technology age”. The fact remains however, that computer, in its pre-eminence, has not abrogated statutes. We still live in the age of statutes. By their nature, statutes require updates from time to time, to meet up with societal changes and advancements. The Law of Evidence like every other aspect of law is dynamic. Its dynamism goes hand in hand with evolving nature of modern information and communication technology. This work traces the evolutionary trend of electronic evidence in Nigeria. It acknowledges the law on the subject matter as it was in its near zero tolerance for electronic-generated evidence. It celebrates the eventual arrival of the over delayed enactment of the Evidence Act, 2011 and its bold provisions for admissibility of electronic evidence by the courts. The work identifies the challenges new crimes pose to the bold provisions of the Act accepting electronic evidence as part of the body of laws in force in Nigeria. The article concludes with a bold, revolutionary recommendation for the utility and future of electronic evidence in Nigeria.

Title 42 and the power to exclude: Asylum seekers and the denial of entry into the United States

AbstractDebates to “secure the border” have often dominated immigration legislation. Since the COVID‐19 pandemic began, this rhetoric has intensified with the use of the Title 42 program to “expel” asylum seekers without hearing the merits of their case. This article outlines how the Title 42 policy has exacerbated dangerous border crossings while advancing discriminatory policies which disproportionately affect non‐White asylum seekers. Using the framework of Critical Race Theory, this article examines the impact(s) of race, ethnicity, and nationality within the immigration bureaucracy. It suggests that “race neutral” polices in immigration perpetuate racial subordination and exclusion for immigrants racialized as non‐White. Intertwined with xenophobia and anti‐immigrant bias, this work also suggests that public health rationales have long been used to exclude “unfit” or “unclean” migrants due to the “fear of contamination” and infection. The Title 42 program is a violation of human rights, immigration laws, and stipulations in the United Nations Charter which prohibits refugees from being expelled to countries where their lives or freedoms are threatened.Related ArticlesGarrett, Terence M. 2020. “The Security Apparatus, Federal Magistrate Courts, and Detention Centers as Simulacra: The Effects of Trump's Zero Tolerance Policy on Migrants and Refugees in the Rio Grande Valley.” Politics & Policy 48(2): 372–35. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12348.Garrett, Terence M., and Arthur J. Sementelli. 2022. “COVID‐19, Asylum Seekers, and Migrants on the Mexico–U.S. Border: Creating States of Exception.” Politics & Policy 50(4): 872–86. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12484.Silverman, Stephanie J. 2012. “‘Regrettable but Necessary?’ A Historical and Theoretical Study of the Rise of the U.K. Immigration Detention Estate and Its Opposition.” Politics & Policy 40(6): 1131–57. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2012.00393.x.

Assaults on Emergency Workers (Offences) Act 2018: Effective deterrent or empty gesture?

In 2018, following a significant increase in violence against NHS staff and others serving the public, the UK Parliament passed a piece of legislation which included the creation of a new offence category, ‘Assault against an Emergency Worker’. The intention was to codify the aggravating nature of assaults against emergency workers as a reflection of the moral outrage such behaviour should attract. However, the actual implementation of this law has been criticised as adding very little to the lofty promises of promoting a “zero tolerance” culture. In this paper we review the new legal framework and attempt to highlight potential effects arising from its implementation.

A PROBLEM of RULES: Sexual Exploitation and UN Legitimacy

Abstract Twenty years ago, the UN adopted a zero-tolerance policy on sexual exploitation and abuse (SEA) by its personnel. After prohibiting sex with children and the exchange of sex for “cash, food and things,” it “strongly discourages” sexual relationships with beneficiaries because “they are based on inherently unequal power dynamics” and undermine the UN’s credibility and integrity. Taking inspiration from the critical feminist project of understanding what happens when feminist ideas and projects become institutionalised, I consider the effectiveness and unintended consequences of the policy's discouraged relationships standard. I argue that by centring an “inherent power imbalance” between peacekeepers and local people, the policy undermines the UN’s capacity to meaningfully address that imbalance in practice. Moreover, the discouraged relationships standard diminishes the policy’s perceived legitimacy among staff, with ramifications beyond the prevention and punishment of sexual misconduct. Based on research in Bosnia-Herzegovina, Timor-Leste, Geneva, and New York, this article generates insights about the persistent challenges to preventing and punishing SEA and situates them in relation to broader questions around how international missions view and interact with local populations, and how this affects the integrity and effectiveness of their work.

LGBTQIA2S+ Well-Being within Academic Communities: The State of the Science

It is essential that academic communities achieve and maintain an inclusive campus climate for lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex, asexual, and two-spirit plus (LGBTQIA2S+) faculty, staff, and students. Campus climate can influence faculty and student attrition, self-identity development of LGBTQIA2S+ students, and exacerbate documented health disparities. Academic settings have a challenging history when examining the relationship with LGBTQIA2S+ individuals. Academicians were the originators of pathologizing identities and constructing deviant distinctions in text and publications. Campus climate sets the tone for the success of LGBTQIA2S+ members of academic communities, and research continues to emphasize the most influential factors that directly contribute to that success. Visibility of LGBTQIA2S+ faculty, staff, and students allow for both formal and informal social networks and encourages social and academic integration. Proximity to LGBTQIA2S+ faculty, staff, and students encourages both integration and visibility. Policies that protect and affirm LGBTQIA2S+ individuals are an essential component to visibility as they provide formal protection such as zero tolerance discrimination policies. Progress towards creating healthy academic communities for LGBTQIA2S+ individuals follows larger societal trends of acceptance, and progress continues today through knowledge generation and activism. Commitment to and recognition of the factors that foster healthy academic communities for LGBTQIA2S+ individuals ensures that the discovery and dissemination of knowledge will continue through a more inclusive lens.

Optimal Contest Design When Policing Damaging Behavior

We consider the design of a contest in which the prize may motivate not only productive efforts, but also some damaging aggressive behavior by contestants. The organizer must choose prizes and an enforcement regime defined as a limit on how much aggressiveness will be tolerated and the probability of inspection. When the value of contestants’ output is low, it may be optimal to motivate much less effort than first best because the prize spread necessary to induce higher effort necessitates a high level of enforcement, which is not worth the cost. On the other hand, when the output value is sufficiently high, it becomes optimal to offer a high prize spread to motivate substantial but still below first-best effort, with costly enforcement then being employed to constrain damaging aggressive behavior. Additionally, a less accurate inspection technology is associated with a tighter limit on aggressive behavior, and “zero tolerance” can be optimal if the aggressive behavior has no value.

Family Separation and Reunification Under President Trump's Zero-Tolerance Policy

The past decades have been characterized by sharp increases in the number of families, mainly from Central America's Northern Triangle, apprehended by US Border Patrol. In an effort to stem those flows, the Trump administration implemented a zero-tolerance policy (ZTP) aimed at criminally prosecuting all adults crossing the border without authorization, regardless of whether they traveled with children or sought asylum upon entry. Thousands of children were separated from their parents, reclassified as “unaccompanied,” and referred to the custody of the Office of Refugee Resettlement (ORR). Yet, to date, there has not been a careful evaluation of the impacts of the policy. We examine how ZTP affected the volume of unaccompanied minors, their time in ORR custody, and their likelihood of family reunification. We show that ZTP boosted the ranks of unaccompanied children through family separations by 48 percent, lowered their discharge rate from ORR's custody by 38 percent, and reduced their odds of family reunification by 49 percent. Given the growing number of families from the Northern Triangle seeking asylum in the United States, the documented mental health problems of separated children, and the rotating nature of immigration policies based on the administration in place, understanding the implications of policies like ZTP is imperative.

DIGITALIZATION OF REGULATORY ACTIVITIES IN UKRAINE DURING THE POST-WAR PERIOD

The article reveals the essence of the concepts «regulatory process», «regulatory activity», «digitalization», while regulatory activity as an object of research is considered from the following aspects: economic, legal, informational and organizational. It has been proven that the very application of the term «digitalization» in the course of this study along with the existing definitions does not radically change the essence of the existing process of regulatory activity in Ukraine, which is based on the application of the positive experience of European countries and has certain advantages. The main results of digitalization of regulatory activity at the micro level (optimization, improvement of quality and efficiency of regulatory activity) and macro level (scale of information dissemination, information awareness of subjects in the regulatory process) are presented. It is substantiated that the digitalization of regulatory activity as a transformation process, which is expedient to start in the post-war period, is aimed at solving the primary goals in the field of regulatory activity: accessibility and convenience; improvement of communication links; zero tolerance for corruption; the expediency of the introduced regulations of entrepreneurship and it is recommended to apply the principles proposed by the author in such a process (accessibility, consolidation, ensuring reliability, preservation and protection, technological unity and harmonization of information disclosure in the field of regulatory activity). The areas of risk of digitalization of regulatory activity were investigated (technological: differences between digital and human decision-making logics and military: dependence on technical conditions) and prospects for further research in this area, aimed at changing the tactics and strategy of the development of the economy of Ukraine in the post-war period, were outlined.

ПОЛОЖЕННЯ ПРО АКАДЕМІЧНУ ДОБРОЧЕСНІСТЬ: ПРОБЛЕМИ ІМПЛЕМЕНТАЦІЇ

The article discusses the problems of implementing the policy of academic integrity in higher education institutions; it was found that the implementation of fundamental principles, the formation of an educational environment with zero tolerance for violations of ethical standards requires the development of a policy and the introduction of the practice of academic integrity. The key in this process is the agreement of the declaration of values and their approval in educational practice. The results of the study on the awareness of the essence and meaning of academic integrity and the desire to articulate a position on academic integrity by students of the second (master’s) level of education of the Vinnytsia National Technical University were also analyzed and summarized. The object of the study was the participants' texts on the meaning of academic integrity in a higher education institution. Qualitative-quantitative analysis was applied to the participants’ texts according to the following criteria: 1) identification of positions on the issue of academic integrity; 2) «I»-position (self-discovery, self-analysis, self-exposure); 3) accentuation of texts; 4) appeal to the moral principles of academic integrity. The authors came to the following general conclusions: at the same time as learning the essence, content and meaning of academic integrity at the theoretical level, almost all research participants emphasized the position of observing academic ethical standards; along with this, it was noticeable that the master's students kept silent about the situation of violation and responsibility, which indicates the avoidance of the discussion regarding the procedures for handling cases of violations and responsibility for non-compliance with ethical principles. The declarative nature of the overwhelming number of the studied texts, hiding the «I» position in them, avoiding the articulation of values give grounds for the conclusion that a significant part of master’s students is not aware of the essence and meaning of academic integrity. Generalizations of research results can be used in changing approaches, processes and procedures to improve the system for ensuring academic integrity at the Vinnytsia National Technical University and other institutions of higher education. Key words: institution of higher education, academic integrity, policy, regulation, violation of academic integrity, text.

Microbiological profiling and knowledge of food preservation technology to support guidance on a neutropenic diet for immunocompromised patients.

The current society consists of an increasing number of people vulnerable to infections. For certain people with severe immunodeficiency, a neutropenic or low-microbial diet is being prescribed, which substitutes high-risk foods that are more likely to contain human (opportunistic) pathogens with lower-risk alternatives. These neutropenic dietary guidelines are typically set up from a clinical and nutritional perspective, rather than from a food processing and food preservation perspective. In this study, the current guidelines in use by the Ghent University Hospital were evaluated based on the current knowledge of food processing and preservation technologies and the scientific evidence on microbiological quality, safety, and hygiene of processed foods. Three criteria are identified to be important: (1) the microbial contamination level and composition; (2) the potential presence of established foodborne pathogens such as Salmonella spp. (to which a zero-tolerance policy is recommended); and (3) an increased vigilance for L. monocytogenes as an opportunistic foodborne pathogen with a high mortality rate in immunocompromised individuals (to which a zero-tolerance policy should apply). A combination of these three criteria was used as a framework for the evaluation of the suitability of foodstuffs to be included in a low-microbial diet. Differences in processing technologies, initial contamination of products, etc., however, lead to a high degree of variability in microbial contamination and make it difficult to unambiguously accept or reject a certain type of foodstuff without prior knowledge of the ingredients and the processing and preservation technologies applied during manufacturing and subsequent storage conditions. A restricted screening on a selection of (minimally processed) plant-based foodstuffs on the retail market in Flanders, Belgium supported decision-making on the inclusion of these food types in a low-microbial diet. Still, when determining the suitability of a foodstuff to be included in a low-microbial diet, not only the microbiological status but also nutritional and sensorial properties should be assessed, which requires multidisciplinary communication and collaboration.

Flattening the Curve after the Initial Outbreak of Coronavirus Disease 2019: A Data-Driven Modeling Analysis for the Omicron Pandemic in China.

China is relaxing COVID-19 measures from the "dynamic zero tolerance" (DZT) level. The "flatten-the-curve" (FTC) strategy, which decreases and maintains the low rate of infection to avoid overwhelming the healthcare system by adopting relaxed nonpharmaceutical interventions (NPIs) after the outbreak, has been perceived as the most appropriate and effective method in preventing the spread of the Omicron variant. Hence, we established an improved data-driven model of Omicron transmission based on the age-structured stochastic compartmental susceptible-latent-infectious-removed-susceptible model constructed by Cai to deduce the overall prevention effect throughout China. At the current level of immunity without the application of any NPIs, more than 1.27 billion (including asymptomatic individuals) were infected within 90 days. Moreover, the Omicron outbreak would result in 1.49 million deaths within 180 days. The application of FTC could decrease the number of deaths by 36.91% within 360 days. The strict implementation of FTC policy combined with completed vaccination and drug use, which only resulted in 0.19 million deaths in an age-stratified model, will help end the pandemic within about 240 days. The pandemic would be successfully controlled within a shorter period of time without a high fatality rate; therefore, the FTC policy could be strictly implemented through enhancement of immunity and drug use.

Impacts of President Trumps Zero Tolerance Policy and Speech on Illegal Immigrants

Under Trumps administration, there were many brave policies and speeches that are controversial enough for American founding thoughts which call for equality in the society and the development of the United States. This paper will uncover the influence of immigration policies from President Trump by listing and analyzing the ways that will marginalize illegal immigrants. This paper provides a close scope of the difficulties faced by illegal immigrants because of the harsh immigration policies, and how they will be marginalized in the future due to the unrestricted and offensive words from the speeches of President Trump. The results of the research are that new immigration policies are negative toward the illegal immigrants of the The United States obviously results in the mental health problem of the illegal immigrants and brings fatal damage to the illegal immigrant families. Also, these people who make speeches, due to their own benefit, never pay attention to the possible worse situation for the illegal immigrants, marginalizing the weak group.

Revisiting the policy implications of COVID‐19, asylum seekers, and migrants on the Mexico–U.S. border: Creating (and maintaining) states of exception in the Trump and Biden administrations

AbstractPublic policy choices continue to bring dramatic changes to migration practices in the era of the coronavirus in the United States. In this article, we argue that the COVID‐19 pandemic facilitated the creation and maintenance of states of exception while continuing to destabilize practices at the Mexico–U.S. border through the politics of fear. Specifically, the Migrant Protection Protocols (MPP), Zero Tolerance Policy (ZTP), COVID‐19 CAPIO, Asylum Cooperative Agreements (ACA), and Title 42 used an arcane section of U.S. law to immediately expel asylum seekers and refugees. We show that these policies highlight the formation and maintenance of states of exception consistent with the work of Agamben. We further discuss how the politics of fear can reinforce hegemonic narratives targeting asylum seekers while shaping political agendas that lean toward a specific brand of nationalism using public health as a context. The U.S. government under the Trump administration—and the Biden administration to a lesser, yet continuous, extent—constructed these policies aimed primarily at refugees and asylum seekers from El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico thereby violating laws and international treaty obligations.Related ArticlesDuman, Yoav H. 2014. “Reducing the Fog? Immigrant Regularization and the State.” Politics & Policy 42(2): 187–220. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12065.Garrett, Terence Michael. 2020. “The Security Apparatus, Federal Magistrate Courts, and Detention Centers as Simulacra: The Effects of Trump's Zero Tolerance Policy on Migrants and Refugees in the Rio Grande Valley.” Politics & Policy 48(2): 372–95. https://doi.org/10.1111/polp.12348.Maggio, James. 2007. “The Presidential Rhetoric of Terror: The (Re)Creation of Reality Immediately after 9/11.” Politics & Policy 35(4): 819–35. https://doi.org/10.1111/j.1747‐1346.2007.00085.x.

Modern Trends in Recycling Waste Thermoplastics and Their Prospective Applications: A Review

Thermoplastics and thermosetting plastics are two major classes of polymers in that have recently become materials that are indispensable for humankind. Regarding the three basic needs of human beings—food, shelter, and clothing—polymers and polymer-based materials have gained pre-eminence. Polymers are used in food production, beginning with farming applications, and in the health sector for the development of various biomaterials, as well as in shelter and clothing for a variety of applications. Polymers are the material of choice for all modern-day applications (transportation, sporting, military/defence, electronics, packaging, and many more). Their widespread applications have created many negative challenges, mainly in the area of environmental pollution. While thermoplastics can be easily reprocessed to obtain new products, thermosetting plastics cannot; thus, this review focuses more on the use of waste from thermoplastics with less emphasis on thermosetting plastics. Hence, the review presents a concise summary of the availability of waste thermoplastics as raw materials for product development and the anticipated benefits. The prospects for waste thermoplastics and thermosetting plastics, the possibility of cleaning the environment, and the uncovering of opportunities for further research and development are presented. The limitations of the current methods of waste polymer recycling are highlighted with possible future prospects from newly introduced methods. With zero tolerance for polymer waste in our environments, potential uses for recycled thermosetting plastics are described. Waste polymers should be seen as potential raw materials for research and development as well as major materials for new products. Recycled polymers are expected to be processed for use in advanced materials applications in the future due to their availability. This review shows that the major source of environmental pollution from polymers is the packaging, hence the need to modify products for these applications by ensuring that most of them are biodegradable.

Student Threats of Violence Often Signal Underlying Psychiatric Disorders

Student Threats of Violence Often Signal Underlying Psychiatric Disorders

AB-452654-3 AVOIDING THERMAL INJURY OF THE ESOPHAGUS BY USING LUMINAL ESOPHAGEAL TEMPERATURE MONITORING DURING HIGH-POWER, SHORT-DURATION RADIOFREQUENCY ABLATION: RESULTS OF A “ZERO TOLERANCE” PROTOCOL

The prevention of esophageal thermal injury (ETI) during atrial fibrillation (AF) ablation is still a challenge and the optimal luminal esophageal temperature (LET) strategy remains to be proved. Recent studies showed a lower incidence (3.5- 6%) of endoscopic ETI during high-power, short-duration (HPSD) AF ablation in which radiofrequency (RF) delivery was tolerated at LET cutoff point of 39-41°C. We investigated whether the LET monitoring with “zero tolerance” towards any rise of temperature is a safe and effective strategy in terms of endoscopic ETI and acute pulmonary vein isolation (PVI) in HPSD ablation. Observational study of consecutive patients with symptomatic AF undergoing HPSD RF ablation. The previously estimated sample size was 87, considering an estimated prevalence of 6%, margin of error of 5%, and 95% of significance level. HPSD RF ablation was defined as maximum temperature at 43°C, power delivery at 50 or 40 W for 5 and 10 seconds, respectively (the lowest power was at the left atrium posterior wall [LAPW]), 20 ml/min., and contact force of 5-30 grams. The applications were monitored by the impedance curve and real-time LET using a 9F insulated single thermocouple temperature probe. The “zero-tolerance” protocol was defined as stopping the point-by-point RF delivery at any LET rise in the LAPW in which the tip of the temperature probe was always positioned, via fluoroscopy vision, at the closest ablation site. The RF application was resumed only after the LET fell back to the baseline. All patients were scheduled to undergo esophageal endoscopy 1-3 days after procedure. We included 87 consecutive patients (59±13 years, 62 [71%] males) with paroxysmal (58[66.6%] and persistence AF (29[33.3%]). PVI was achieved in all patients with 16±7 min. of fluoroscopy time and 168±38 min. of procedure time. The LET rose in 86 (98.8%) patients, with a mean peak temperature of 37.3±1.2°C. There were no major complications. All patients underwent esophageal endoscopy and no ETI was found. They were discharged on the day after the procedure and no complications, including esophagus perforation or atrio-esophageal fistula, were clinically detected in at least 3 months of follow-up. The LET monitoring with “zero tolerance” towards any rise of temperature in HPSD RF ablation of AF prevented the occurrence of endoscopic esophageal thermal lesion without compromising the acute PVI.

Under Pressure–TrolleyGar, a Metric Reflecting a Hospital System at Crisis-Capacity

Introduction:Health service capacity has been an issue in Ireland since the 1980s swinging cuts. Government reports from 2003 have consistently identified a requirement for 3,000-5,000 extra beds on top of the current approximately 10,500 capacity. Acute hospital bed capacity issues have escalated, the formal system of recording “over capacity” patients or “patients on trolleys” has developed. A “Trolleygar” reports issues from the Health Service Executive (HSE) three times daily. This count is an underestimate as patients temporarily housed in day care units, surgical, or medical assessment units, discharge lounges and other clinical areas which have a bed space are not counted in this overcapacity measure. This study's aim is to calculate the annual number of days on which no patients were lodged on trolleys in Wexford General Hospital.Method:Descriptive study using anonymized freely available data from the national HSE Trolley GAR reports on trolley patients in Wexford General Hospital from January 2019 until September 2022. A Golden Zero trolley day was stated as a day on which there were no reported trolley-patients at the three time points, Silver Zero trolley day when two of the time periods recorded no trolleys and a Bronze Zero Trolley day when one period recorded a zero trolley count.Results:Data was collected on 1,369 days, with 90 days excluded due to missing data sets. There were 162 Golden days recorded (12.67% of total days). The year 2020 recorded the highest number of Golden days at 28.69% (105 days), followed by 2021 with 11.23% (41 days). During 2019 there were 3.84% (14 days) Golden days and 2022 had the lowest number (January-September) with 0.73% (2 days).Conclusion:Despite a zero-tolerance policy, Golden days are disappearing rapidly, capacity is urgently required with post-pandemic ED attendance surges worldwide. True recording of overcapacity patients is required for appropriate capacity modeling.

Healthcare costs vis-à-vis economic growth in pandemic crisis with technology adoption

COVID-19 pandemic brought up issues with healthcare costs, national economic development and welfare of the society in forefront. Nations across the globe followed different approaches to deal with COVID-19, such as zero tolerance, herd immunity, containment to build treatment capability. National healthcare became a contentious sociopolitical issue involving healthcare costs, technologies and societal health. In the United States even during the COVID-19 pandemic, the government approach was pursuing a sustainable improvement in patient care through adoption of medical and information technologies. The national healthcare policies are framed around technological interventions with the assumption that deployment of technologies could keep healthcare costs under control and at the same time improve health outcomes. However, evidences show that the healthcare costs are in the rise even with impressive progress in technological deployment. This article highlights some of the recent trends in healthcare costs, technological preparedness, medical technology developments in managing COVID-19 pandemic. The US government mandated electronic health record (EHR) systems implementation and assess its impact on healthcare costs and health outcomes. This article emphasizes the need for understanding the interconnectedness of costs, technology and societal health.